A SCHIZOPHRENIC who attacked his girlfriend in a drunken row has been given one last chance.

Rhys Ockwell of Wyvern House, Newlands Road, Corsham admitted causing actual bodily harm to Lisa Galvin but was spared jail in favour of a probation order by a judge at Swindon Crown Court.

Judge Tom Longbotham told the 36-year-old that should he fail on the probation order he would face jail.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, said Ockwell and victim Lisa Galvin had been together for about 12 years when the incident happened last July.

"There were injuries to the body, injuries to the head involving repeated slaps and punches to Miss Galvin. Because of that assault she was left feeling concussed and said at one point she said she felt she was going to die."

He said she contacted the police the following day and Okwell was arrested.

Virginia Cornwall, defending, said her client had mental health problems which were made worse by his used of drink and cannabis.

She said that since the offence he had stopped using the drug completely and that he was very anxious about what was going to happen to him.

Judge Longbotham imposed a three-year probation order saying he must comply with the directions of his doctor for his paranoid schizophrenia.